Do I have a Shot?

<p>I was wondering if anyone could give me some comments on whether or not I could get into Brandeis. I really don’t feel like listing my entire common app, but here are some stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.189 (yes, it’s very low, but at my school they don’t give up a boost for ANY honors or AP classes EVER)
10th grade: sci H, math H, spanish H, english H, history reg
11th grade: sci reg, math H, spanish H, english H, history reg
12th grade: AP bio, AP calculus, AP spanish, english 12, senior focus
(senior focus: similar to a senior thesis program, our school has won awards for it.)</p>

<p>i go to a small private school in new jersey, i have spent my last three summers doing (2004) community service in Costa Rica, (2003) being a camp counselor, (2002) studying at the University of Salamanca in Spain.</p>

<p>president of the Gay Straight Alliance for two years
president of tour guides
jazz rock band keyboardist
winter musical, 4 years</p>

<p>varsity cross-country (captain + awards)
varsity softball (captain + awards)</p>

<p>ACT: 33 composite
(i don’t do SAT…:-))</p>

<p>Job experience:
Waitress
Day Camp Counselor
Babysitter</p>

<p>I think its a reach for you. Your ACT, classes, and extracurriculars are all very good, but it might be hard for you to get in because of your GPA. Good luck!</p>

<p>Margaux! I can't believe you post here! Haha, what we won't do... You will get into Wellesley, do not worry! I have conifence in you and your potential!
Love,
K</p>

<p>Brandeis likes unique people above those with "good stats." With your unique EC's, I think it is a good match. Do I think you are a shoo-in? No. Do I think you have a great shot? Yes.</p>

<p>thanks sulsk, since i was deferred from my first choice (wellesley), i need to really start thinking about my others schools.</p>

<p>I'm glad that you say brandeis isn't just about the numbers, because my loq GPA is definitely what kept me out of wellesley. hopefully brandeis will notice my "unique EC's" like you say they will.</p>

<p>I disagree with previous posters and say that Brandeis is a reach because of your relatively low (unweighted) GPA. That isn't to say that you should not apply, but that you should consider it a reach, not a match. Be sure that you have an adequate number of matches and safeties, and that your essays shine.</p>

<p>Brandeis, like many others, says that the transcript is the the most important factor in decisions, so your GPA may hurt you, but you have lots of honors classes.
I think you have a great shot, ACT is very high, summer work is outstanding, leadership is outstanding. Brandeis is also very politically active, so i think they'll like the Gay-Straight alliance leadership, especially.
I say it's a match.</p>